but our mission in afghanistan is to basically end al qaeda and get the taliban under control so it doesn't go back to what it was in the past and to create a stability there so they don't threaten us in the future. so that doesn't become again the breeding ground for a tax on america the way it was in 2001. we're not there yet. afghanistan is a state of chaos and confusion, not in a state where we can honestly say in good conscience that we've put it in a situation where we don't need to be there in order to protect ourself. and here's what i think has been a big lack of leadership. somebody's got to explain to the american people that we need to be in that region of the world for the indefinite future. without time limits. far more effective would be you put in the truth, you don't tell anybody when you're going to leave. we leave when he accomplish our objective. >> a final domestic question. in the next couple weeks the first same-sex marriages will take place legally in new york. you have always said that you were for civil unions but that you thought marriage was between a man and a w